Appendix 298 studies can generate more knowledge about the possible effects of exogenous sex hormones on mood and sleep. Secondly, these studies can be valued as proof-of-concept investigations to understand the effects of sex hormones on mood and sleep. Oral contraceptives and gender-affirming hormone therapy Oral contraceptives (OCs), also called the “birth control pill” or simply “the pill”, are used to prevent pregnancy and to regulate menstruation. There are different formulations of OCs, but the most commonly used pill is called the combination pill, which contains both estrogen and progesterone. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is used by transgender individuals, whose gender identity does not match their birth sex. The difference between a transgender person’s physical characteristics and their gender identity can cause gender dysphoria. Gender-affirming treatments, hormone therapy and surgeries, can change the physical characteristics to better match someone’s gender identity, and help to reduce gender dysphoria. Gender-affirming hormone therapy generally comes in two forms: masculinizing and feminizing hormones. Transgender persons who were born female but would like to masculinize their bodies can start using testosterone. Individuals who were born male but would like to feminize their bodies can use estrogens and testosterone-suppressing hormones. Are OC use and GAHT use associated with changes in depressive symptoms? Oral contraceptives In Chapter 2, we examined whether women who were using OCs were more likely to be depressed or to experience depressive symptoms than women who were naturally cycling (meaning they were not using any hormonal contraceptives). We also examined in this chapter whether this difference was larger or smaller in women with previous or current mood disorder. For this study, we used data from the NESDA study, in which participants took part in up to five measurements over the course of nine years. Using data from 1205 female participants, we examined differences between measurements while using OCs and measurements while naturally cycling. Since these study measurements included repeated measurements, we
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw